Improvement in folding coops



- C. C. ALLEN.

FOLDING-COOP.

No. 177,190. Patented May 9,1876.

NITED STATES CHARLES o. A LEn, OF SAN FBANOISUO, cALIEoENIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING COOPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent. No. 177,190, dated May 9, 1876; application filed December 11, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHARLEs O. ALLEN, of San Francisco, State of California, have in- Vented an Improved Crate or Coop for Trans porting Fowls, 850., of which the following is a specification:

Heretofore fowls have been brought to market in coops constructed of wood, and in such a manner that little or no ventilation is had. Besides this, the coop, in mostcases, is required to be returned to the consignor in the country, by the consignee, in the same condition in which it is received. This latter fact has long been a source of great annoyance to the shipper, as the empty crate occupies the same space as when filled, requiring large space in express wagons, steamers, and cars, which might be available for other freights.

The object of my invention, then, is to providea crate or coop capable of being folded over upon itself into a small compass in order. to economize space in transshipment. This I accomplish by constructing the bottom and a portion of the sides of wood, while the remainder, composing the sides, top, and ends, is composed of grates made of wire rods set in frames and hinged to each other, and to the sides and bottom, so as to be folded inward and over to reduce the size of the crate to about one-fourth of its original when in position, all of which will hereinafter more fully appear, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my crate in position. Fig. 2 is also a perspective view, with one side and the ends folded down.

- A is the bottom or base, having longitndinal side pieces B attached to it. To the top of the side rails is fastened the grated frames 0, and these grates form the sides of the crate. Grate-frames D of about the'same dimensions are attached to the inner corner of the grateframes 0, and these compose the top of the crate when extended. These frames are connected by coiled-wire hinges a a, capable of being folded down or inwardly. To each end of the floor is connected also by coiled-wire springs the wire frame E, which form the ends of the crate. These frames also fold down or inwardly upon the bottom of the crate, and when in position theyserve to support the side frames 0 and form a rest for the grateframes D which compose the top of the crate. The top of the end frames are provided with staples b b which enter and pass through the frames D, through which a pin or key may pass to keep the top in place.

Staples or hooks c c are driven into the sides of the frame 0, so that the crate may be locked when folded, and when expanded these staples serve as a place to attach a padlock, so as to lock the crate if necessary when it is filled.

The usual door or opening on wire hinges is placed at E.

Thus it will be seen that a crate is formed for the transportation of fowls, fruit, and many articles of merchandise that require good ventilation, and which can be folded up so as not to occupy but little more than onefourth of the space required when it is opened out and in position for filling.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A coop or crate, consisting of a solid bottom, sides composed of wire frames hinged to .the bottom, a top composed of two wire frames hinged to the sides, and the ends com posed of wire frames hinged to the bottom, all combined substantially as described and shown.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

GHARLES G. ALLEN.

Witnesses O. W. M. SMITH, PHILIP MAHLER. 

